Sport
16 May, 2026
Mean leap up ladder
A SEESAWING affair between Marong and Bridgewater ended in a two-goal win for the Mean Machine, which was enough to see them jump from fourth to second on the A Grade netball ladder.
A SEESAWING affair between Marong and Bridgewater ended in a two-goal win for the Mean Machine, which was enough to see them jump from fourth to second on the A Grade netball ladder.
They leapfrogged the Panthers after the victory.
Bridgewater held a two-goal margin at the end of the first two quarters, but Marong turned that around to go into the final term two goals to the good.
Mean Machine coach Lou Dupuy said her team had been a similar position in rounds one and two against Newbridge and Pyramid Hill but had fallen to narrow losses.
Practising different game scenarios at training had been beneficial, she said, with the players showing impressive composure and match awareness.
“They are the things that can set you apart in finals,” Dupuy said. “It’s about making decisions under pressure at the end of games where we’re a bit gassed – being able to make the right decisions when it counts.”
Phoebe Henderson was switched from centre to wing defence, with Dupuy asking for more attack from the defensive end, and the 17-year-old responded with a best-on-court performance.
Jorja Lee won praise from the coach for taking on feedback at quarter-time and playing a key role as wing attack in the last three terms.
Bridgewater is at home to Maiden Gully on Saturday, with Marong travelling to bottom of the ladder Macorna.